Flying from Istanbul to Mexico City: what you need to know
Istanbul is home to a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Mexico City leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU) are Mexico City's major gateways.
The average length of a direct Istanbul to Mexico City flight is 14 hours 35 minutes.
Mexico City is nine hours behind Istanbul and observes the UTC-6 timezone.
With 11 weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Istanbul to Mexico City with Turkish Airlines at 01:55. If you'd like to make the most of your day before jetting off, the latest departure from IST to MEX is with Turkish Airlines at 22:00.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Istanbul to Mexico City flight.
During popular months like April, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Mexico City
To score cheap Istanbul to Mexico City flights, reserve your trip two months ahead of your planned departure.
May is the best month for scoring a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Istanbul to Mexico City. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Istanbul to Mexico City.
Lock in a cheap Istanbul to Mexico City flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can get a direct flight from Istanbul to Mexico City departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Begin your journey at IST and arrive at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).
Keep an eye out for deals with Turkish Airlines. This carrier offers direct Istanbul to Mexico City plane tickets out of IST.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Istanbul to Mexico City flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Jose Marti International Airport (HAV)
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul to Mexico City? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Istanbul to Mexico City flight, browse these options when heading out from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
SAW is around 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City? Unwind in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your holiday officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76.93%.
Arriving in Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
The distance from Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to central Mexico City is approximately 6 kilometres. It'll take you about 25 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 55 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Mexico City. Check in to one of these accommodation options near MEX instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and explore beyond Mexico City's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from Benito Juarez International Airport about four weeks before your trip.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU) is about 32 kilometres from the centre of Mexico City. Following your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 45 minutes or so.
Holiday Inn & Suites Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport is a comfortable accommodation option within a short drive of NLU. Make yourself at home here after your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign to enjoy some uninterrupted rest.
Europcar, MEX and Keddy By Europcar make picking up a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car simple. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Score the best price by securing your ride from NLU one week in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Mexico City
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City. July is the most popular month to travel to Mexico City. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Mexico City is April, with temperatures ranging between 10ºC and 28ºC. Book your Istanbul to Mexico City ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between 6ºC and 23ºC. Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Mexico City around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Mexico City
After booking your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Mexico City:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Zocalo, Chapultepec Park and National Museum of Anthropology are major attractions which should be on every Mexico City itinerary.
Explore more of Mexico
Mexico City has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Mexico you'll want to see. Around 21 kilometres north-east of Mexico City, a visit to Ecatepec de Morelos will keep your itinerary busy. Don't miss top attractions like Grupo Scout 360 Aztlan, mirador del Valle Park and Kinder casanueva.
Guadalajara is another favourite destination in Mexico and is around 467 kilometres west of Mexico City. No trip is complete without dropping by Guadalajara Cathedral, Teatro Degollado and Portales Tlaquepaque Park.